Authorities in Haryana have initiated a detailed ground-truthing exercise in Anangpur, Faridabad, aimed at identifying and verifying existing residential developments on land notified under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). The survey is being conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), with the objective of creating an accurate record of built-up areas and long-standing settlements.
The exercise is focused strictly on mapping existing structures and land use patterns rather than resolving ownership disputes. Officials have clarified that the intention is to distinguish between long-established residential occupation and any changes made after the commencement of the survey. This includes identifying houses, boundary walls, and other constructions that predate the verification process.
A key directive issued to survey teams is that any fresh construction, extension of boundary walls, or expansion of property carried out during the survey period will not be considered part of the final assessment. Authorities have observed instances where residents attempted to extend boundaries or modify land use while the verification was underway. Such changes are being recorded separately to ensure they do not influence the outcome of the exercise.
A revenue official involved in the process explained that the purpose is to establish a clear and accurate picture of existing habitation within notified PLPA land. The survey aims to separate genuine, long-standing residential areas from recent alterations made after the start of the exercise. This distinction is important for ensuring transparency and preventing manipulation of records during the assessment period.
Residents have also raised concerns, stating that allowing changes during the survey could undermine its credibility. They argue that the final findings should reflect the condition of the land as it existed before the verification began, not alterations made in response to the ongoing process.
The ground-truthing exercise involves physical verification supported by satellite imagery and official land records. It is intended to provide a reliable dataset that can assist in resolving long-pending issues related to settlement regularisation and land-use classification in environmentally sensitive or regulated zones.
Once completed, the findings will be reviewed by the CEC, which is expected to evaluate the extent of residential occupation and submit recommendations to the Supreme Court. The outcome of the exercise could play a crucial role in shaping future policy decisions regarding settlement regularisation and land management in the region.
